UA31502 Impact of Giving 2025 - A4 FINAL Web version 22.5.25 - Flipbook - Page 4
Impact of Giving
A breakthrough
formulation
Thanks to the support of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation,
the SAiGENCI (South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer
Institute) research team at the University of Adelaide will this year
commence a new clinical trial – one that could transform how we
protect patients’ skin during radiation treatment.
Each year, nearly 100,000 Australians
undergo radiation therapy – an essential
treatment for cancer, yet one that can
come with debilitating side effects. Among
the more distressing is radiation-induced
dermatitis (RID), which affects around
95% of patients, with some patients
having severe pain, peeling, itching,
and redness, impacting their overall
quality of life. In some cases, long-term
scarring and disfigurement may occur.
Leading the clinical trial is Associate
Professor Hannah Wardill, head of the
University of Adelaide’s Supportive
Oncology Research Group, who is working
alongside Director of SAiGENCI, Professor
Chris Sweeney, and radiation oncologist
Associate Professor Hien Le. Their
research team has identified the potential
of parthenolide, a compound extracted
from the feverfew daisy plant, in shielding
normal cells from radiation damage.
“The team has developed a topical
parthenolide formulation designed to
protect patients’ skin, reducing the
severity of RID without compromising
the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
If successful, this innovation could
provide much-needed relief for
patients and improve their quality
of life during and after treatment,”
Associate Professor Wardill said.
“Currently, there are no universally
approved treatments to prevent or
manage RID, and the only way to avoid
worsening symptoms is to reduce
the dose or frequency of radiation –
potentially lowering survival outcomes.
This research offers new hope.”
“With continued
support, we are one
step closer to ensuring
no patient has to suffer
needlessly from radiation
treatment,” she said.
This project is in collaboration with the
Royal Adelaide Hospital’s Radiation
Oncology team and has also been made
possible through a collaboration with
Plantworx who are developing the lotion.
It is also deeply inspired by the late Peter
Francis, founder of Plantworx, whose lived
experience with head and neck cancer
and whose belief in plant-based medicine
united the team behind this work.
Associate Professor Hannah Wardill
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